Metsä Board Paperboards Slash Carbon Footprint of Beautycare Packaging by 50%
A recent life cycle assessment (LCA) study by Metsä Board has revealed that switching to their fresh fibre paperboard can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of beautycare packaging, offering an eco-friendly alternative for cosmetic brands. Verified by the IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, the study shows that replacing conventional packaging materials with Metsä Board’s folding boxboard can reduce carbon emissions by over 50%.
The study compared Metsä Board’s folding boxboard to commonly used packaging materials, including solid bleached board (SBB), and found that a shift to Metsä Board products resulted in a substantial reduction in emissions. In fact, the carbon footprint could be lowered by as much as 40% when replacing folding boxboard with Metsä Board’s lighter yet equally durable paperboard.
The reductions are attributed to the company’s commitment to using fossil-free energy in its production processes, combined with the lightweight nature of the paperboards. Despite being lighter, Metsä Board’s paperboards maintain the durability and functional properties that are crucial for the beautycare and cosmetics industries.
Anne Uusitalo, Product Safety and Sustainability Director at Metsä Board, emphasized the growing focus on emissions reductions across the beautycare and cosmetic sectors. “As the sector strives to reduce its environmental impact, it’s essential to offer brands verifiable insights to help them make informed decisions,” Uusitalo said. “By optimizing packaging materials with our fresh fibre paperboards, brands can take a significant step toward their sustainability goals without compromising performance or quality.”
Packaging represents a key contributor to Scope 3 emissions—encompassing the production, manufacturing, and disposal of raw materials—in the beautycare and cosmetics industries. Metsä Board is committed to supporting brands with accurate carbon footprint data and comprehensive LCA analyses, helping them reduce their environmental impact while maintaining the high standards required in the industry.
This move highlights the increasing demand for sustainable packaging in the beautycare sector, setting a new benchmark for eco-conscious companies seeking to lessen their carbon footprint.
